Applicator for a Cosmetic Product and Associated Applicator Assembly

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an application ( 10 ) for a cosmetic product, comprising a core ( 12 ) having a first end, referred to as the proximal end ( 13 ), and a free second end, referred to as the distal end ( 16 ), and a plurality of protuberances ( 30 ) that project from the core ( 12 ), said protuberances ( 30 ) being moulded together with the core ( 12 ), wherein the core ( 12 ) has a central part ( 11 ) and ribs ( 17 ) extending between its proximal end ( 13 ) and its distal end ( 16 ) from the central part ( 11 ). The invention also relates to an associated applicator assembly.

The invention relates to a cosmetic product applicator and to an associated applicator assembly.

Applicator assemblies for cosmetic products, in particular for cosmetic products to be applied to the eyelashes, such as mascara, comprising a receptacle containing the cosmetic product and an applicator capable of being removably attached to the receptacle, are known.

The receptacle generally comprises a body, the body comprising walls delimiting a container in which the cosmetic product is contained, and a neck defining an opening through which the cosmetic product can be removed.

The applicator assembly generally comprises a cap suitable for being attached to the neck, a rod extending from the cap, and an applicator attached to a free end of the rod. The applicator comprises a core and a plurality of protrusions or bristles extending from the core.

When the cap is attached to the neck, the rod and the applicator extend within the container. The applicator is immersed in the cosmetic product contained in the container.

To use the applicator, the user detaches the cap from the neck and removes the applicator from the receptacle.

To prevent the applicator from being overloaded with cosmetic product, the receptacle generally comprises a wiper, attached to the interior of the neck. When the user removes the applicator from the receptacle, the applicator slides within the wiper. The wiper scrapes off the excess cosmetic product on the rod and on the applicator.

The wiper thus makes it possible to control the amount of product on the applicator and prevents an excessive amount of cosmetic product from being applied to the eyelashes.

The wiper in particular limits the amount of product present on the protrusions. Two parameters interact for this purpose: the internal diameter of the wiper and the radial extension of the protrusions. The radial extension of a protrusion means the distance between the axis of longitudinal extension of the core and the free end of the protrusion.

Thus, the desired amount of product on the protrusions when leaving the wiper results from the compromise between the internal diameter of the wiper and the radial extension of the protrusions.

Moreover, it is known that the regions having protrusions having a shorter radial extension promote the loading of the applicator, whereas the regions having protrusions having a longer radial extension promote the combing of the eyelashes.

However, nowadays the applicators comprising protrusions intended for promoting a combing effect on the eyelashes are used with cores of large diameter. The associated wiper thus has a large diameter and as a result so too does the receptacle intended for receiving said wiper. Consequently, the associated applicator assembly has a much higher external diameter than is desired aesthetically for this type of product.

One option for reducing this drawback is to reduce the diameter of the core of the applicator. This causes another disadvantage—that of reducing the rigidity of the core of the applicator.

An object of the present invention is to propose an applicator which comprises protrusions for permitting a combing effect on the eyelashes, has a sufficiently rigid core, and does not lead to the use of excessively large receptacles.

Therefore, the invention relates to an applicator for a cosmetic product, comprising a core having a first end, referred to as a proximal end, and a second, free end, referred to as a distal end, and a plurality of protrusions projecting from the core, said protrusions being moulded with the core.

According to the invention, the core has a centre and ribs which extend, from the centre, longitudinally between the proximal end and the distal end of said core.

The applicator according to the invention solves the stated problem by proposing a core that can be relatively thin whilst guaranteeing the rigidity desired for the function that said core must carry out, namely that of bearing the protrusions for permitting a combing effect on the eyelashes without bending when cosmetic product is applied to the eyelashes of a user.

According to various embodiments of the invention, which may be taken together or separately:

-   -   all or some of said protrusions extend from said ribs,     -   said protrusions are distributed in different rows, which are         oriented longitudinally,     -   the core has a constant cross section from its proximal end to         its distal end,     -   the ribs extend from the proximal end to the distal end of the         core,     -   the ribs are moulded with the core,     -   the ribs are parallel to an axis of the core,     -   the ribs have a round cross section,     -   the core is solid,     -   the core is made of plastics material,     -   the protrusions are made of plastics material,     -   the core and the protrusions are moulded from the same material,     -   the centre has a substantially circular cross section,     -   the ribs are radially spaced around the periphery of the centre         at a constant angular distance,     -   said angular distance is in the range of from 0° to 180°, and is         preferably 90°,     -   the protrusions have a semi-circular cross section,     -   the protrusions each have a planar surface,     -   the protrusions are positioned such that planar surfaces of two         adjacent protrusions are oriented in the same rotational         direction,     -   the applicator forms a brush.

The invention also relates to an applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising a receptacle having a body which forms a container intended to contain the cosmetic product, and an applicator as described above that is capable of being attached to the receptacle such that the applicator is housed within the container.

The invention will be better understood, and its other aims, details, features and advantages will become clearer in the following detailed explanatory description of at least one embodiment of the invention given as a purely illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

IN THESE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is schematic perspective view of an embodiment of an applicator according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a cross section along the axis A-A shown in FIG. 1.

The invention relates to an applicator 10 for a cosmetic product, comprising a core 12 having a first end, referred to as a proximal end 13, and a second, free end, referred to as a distal end 16, and a plurality of protrusions 30 projecting from the core 12. The core 12 is also extended in this case by a cylindrical coupling 14 for attaching the applicator 10, extending from the proximal end 13 of the core 12.

Said protrusions 30 are moulded with the core 12. In other words, the protrusions 30 may be integrally formed with the core 12 or over-moulded on the core 12.

In the embodiment shown here, the core 12 has a centre 11 and ribs 17. These ribs 17 extend from the centre 11 of the core 12, between the proximal end 13 and the distal end 15 of said core 12 (see FIG. 1).

The protrusions 30 preferably extend from the ribs 17 (see FIG. 2). Said protrusions can also extend directly from the centre 11 of said core 12. In addition, the protrusions 30 are distributed in different rows, which are oriented longitudinally.

In fact, the protrusions 30 are arranged in a plurality of rows R1-R12 extending in the direction of extension of the core 12, marked X in FIG. 1. The rows R1-R12, which can be seen in FIG. 2, are all parallel to an axis of the core 12, in particular the longitudinal extension axis thereof X.

The rows R1-R12 are radially spaced around the periphery of the core 12 at a constant angular distance. This angular distance may vary from one embodiment to another. In the embodiment shown here, the angular distance is 30°. In other words, there are twelve rows R1-R12.

In the embodiment described here, the ribs 17 are parallel to the longitudinal extension axis X of the core 12.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show these ribs 17 in detail. It can thus be seen that in this case said ribs have a round cross section. More specifically, the cross section of said ribs 17 is substantially in the shape of omega (Ω).

“Cross section” is understood to be any cross section produced in a plane that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X of the core 12.

In FIG. 3, it is particularly clear that said ribs 17 are distributed around the centre 11 of the core 12. More specifically, the ribs 17 are radially spaced around the periphery of the centre 11 at a constant angular distance. In the embodiment shown here, the angular distance is 90°. In other words, there are four of said ribs 17.

It is completely possible to provide a different angular spacing between said ribs, which would result in the number thereof being reduced or increased. However, said angular distance remains within the range of between 0° and 180°.

The core 12 can thus have sufficient rigidity for its function, owing to the longitudinal ribs 17 that are regularly spaced around the centre 11 of the core 12.

A cross section of the centre 11 has a substantially circular shape, the diameter d11 of which is in the range of between 0.5 and 2.5 mm, preferably exactly 1.5 mm (see FIG. 3). The maximum size of this cross section occupied by the ribs 17 is in the shape of a circle of a diameter d17 which is within the range of between 1.5 and 3.5 mm, preferably exactly 2.8 mm. Advantageously, the ratio

$\frac{11}{17}$

is between 0.4 and 0.7, d11 and d17 being measured in the same unit.

In the embodiment being described here, the core has a substantially constant cross section from its proximal end 13 to its distal end 16.

Furthermore, the core 12 is moulded in plastics material, as are the protrusions 30, which are preferably moulded using the same plastics material as the core 12 or even are integrally formed with the core 12.

For example, the core 12 and the protrusions 30 can be moulded in a material based on LDPE (low-density polyethylene). Other materials may also be used, namely the material “Exact” from ExxonMobil or the material “Hytrel” from Dupont, or a mixture of these materials.

The core 12 is provided so as to be solid. It is also possible, in another embodiment which is not shown, for the core 12 to be hollow.

The ribs 17 belonging to the core 12 are moulded in one single operation.

On the other hand, in order to simplify the processes for producing such an applicator 10, the protrusions 30 may have a semi-circular cross section. In this way, they preferably each have a planar surface (see FIG. 2). In this case, said protrusions 30 are positioned such that the planar surfaces of two adjacent protrusions are oriented in the same rotational direction about the core 12. In addition, in order to further simplify the production processes, the protrusions 30 are preferably rectilinear and each extend along a normal to an axis X of the core 12.

It should be noted that the applicator 10 advantageously forms a brush.

It should also be noted that the ribs 17 of the core 12 according to the invention do not permit cosmetic product to be applied to the eyelashes.

The invention also relates to an applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising a receptacle having a body which forms a container containing the cosmetic product, and an applicator as described above that is capable of being attached to the receptacle such that the applicator is housed within the container. Said applicator 10 is attached, for example, to the end of a rod, the rod itself being attached to a cap that is advantageously screwed to the receptacle. After assembly, the cylindrical coupling 14 is positioned in the rod and the proximal end 13 of the core forms the visible proximal end of the applicator.

The ribbed, in particular cruciform, core according to the invention thus has the advantage of providing greater rigidity than that of a cylindrical core, whilst having constant dimensions.

The receptacle has a neck of which the diameter, in particular the internal diameter, is limited. This prevents large applicators from being used and justifies the use of an applicator having a ribbed, in particular cruciform, core because normally the rigidity is achieved by increasing the diameter of cylindrical cores, to the detriment of the length of the radial extension of the protrusions.

It should also be noted that variants are of course possible. In particular, it is also conceivable in an additional embodiment for the applicator to have a curved core. 

1. Applicator for a cosmetic product, comprising: a core having a first end, referred to as a proximal end, and a second, free end, referred to as a distal end, and a plurality of protrusions projecting from the core, said protrusions being moulded with the core, wherein the core has a centre and ribs extend, from the centre, between the proximal end and distal end of said core, all or some of said protrusions extending from said ribs.
 2. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the core has a constant cross section from its proximal end to its distal end.
 3. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the ribs extend from the proximal end to the distal end of the core.
 4. Applicator according claim 1, wherein the ribs are moulded with the core.
 5. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the ribs are parallel to an axis (X) of the core.
 6. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the ribs have a round cross section.
 7. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the core is solid.
 8. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein said protrusions have a substantially circular cross section.
 9. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the ribs are radially spaced around the periphery of the core at a constant angular distance.
 10. Applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising: a receptacle comprising a body which forms a container intended to contain the cosmetic product, and an applicator according to claim 1 that is capable of being attached to the receptacle such that the applicator is housed within the container. 